Shloka 87
आपद्धर्मनिर्णयः — विश्वामित्र-श्वपचसंवादः
Apaddharma Determination: Dialogue of Viśvāmitra and the Śvapaca
बलिनौ मतिमन्तौ च सुवृत्तौ चाप्युपासितौ | अशक्तौ तु नयात् तस्मात् सम्प्रधर्षयेतुं बलातू,यद्यपि वे बड़े बलवान, बुद्धिमान, सुन्दर बर्ताव करनेवाले, कार्यकुशल तथा निकटवर्ती थे तो भी उस संधिकी नीतिसे काम लेनेके कारण उन चूहे और बिलावपर वे बलपूर्वक आक्रमण करनेमें समर्थ न हो सके
balinau matimantau ca suvṛttau cāpyupāsitau | aśaktau tu nayāt tasmāt sampradharṣayetuṃ balāt ||
Dijo Bhīṣma: «Aunque eran fuertes e inteligentes, de buena conducta y bien asistidos (por los suyos), quedaron sin poder actuar a causa de la política (naya). Por ello no pudieron ser acometidos por la mera fuerza.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Mere strength is not decisive; wise policy (naya)—such as alliances, diplomacy, and strategic restraint—can prevent a stronger party from successfully attacking, and can protect the vulnerable.
Bhīṣma is explaining a principle of nīti: even those who are strong, intelligent, and well-supported may become unable to act by force when confronted with effective strategy and political prudence.